Ex-racehorse - Any tips

I have just started helping out a little bit with a friends horse as she had a women loaning it who basically had it as her own, but things have dramatically changed and that women is no longer at the yard so i have started working a little bit with it!!He is an ex-racehorse so needs quite a bit of work! I am bringing him back into work after a bits rest no sure how long not a dramatic time period just a few weeks!! Am just wondering if anyone has any tips on what is good to start doing with him, anything suggested has to be able to be done in quite a small space of time 30-40 mins.

amber4ever

A show jumping horse has guts and commitment, an dressage horse has grace and elegance, but my horse has it all!

Re: Ex-racehorse - Any tips

With my ex-racehorse who was very poorly to start did an awful amount of inhand work which worked lovely and made her calmer she was a 17.2h Chestnut Mare called Lara, mounting can be a problem as they don't stand still which needs work. Also told to use a French Link Snaffle which was great but was instructed by someone who did this for a living.

Re: Ex-racehorse - Any tips

iv been bringing on an exrace, the best advice i could give anyone about controling the canter is use your SEAT. when i started him ground work was the most important part of his training, if they respect your commands on the ground, they will when you ride, but it sounds like hes abit furthur on than this lol, if your schooling him remember lots of circles, to stop the racehorse way of thinking (going fast in a straight line) hope this helps!

Re: Ex-racehorse - Any tips

Another girl on the yard has had her ex-racehorse for a few months now and has spent lots of time lungeing, using a pessoa and schooling quietly encouraging her to settle and be calm. If you take a good hold on a racehorse's mouth he will pull as I believe this is how they are trained so you need the lightest touch. I think one of the racehorse rehabilitation charities reckon they need months off to be a horse before you try to re-school them.